The Belt and Road Initiative of China and Low Carbon Growth in Africa: Just Transition Pathway

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an emerging economy-led cooperation, represents one of the largest infrastructure, trade and economic agendas in history, which, in front of the current lower global growth and intensifying trade tensions, demands the utmost attention. In 2023 BRI accomplished 10 years of activities and is beginning the stage BRI 2.0. A series of studies by the World Bank estimate that it can increase the GDP of developing countries by 2.6 to 3.9 percent on average. The growing South-South cooperation (SSC) is a very promising instrument to advance towards the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals, including a successful climate action under the Paris Agreement.

This study looks at the BRI's orientation towards African countries, green infrastructure and low-carbon green pathways in Africa. Decarbonisation of the energy system requires investment and innovation in growing the low carbon system. Additionally, the just transition requires the planned retirement and decommissioning of the carbon energy system. But in a way that does not unfairly or unjustly impact workers, communities, and vulnerable sections of the population. To develop the study, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology was applied. A search was carried out for articles from indexed journals on several academic websites. These sources were complemented with some reports and hemerographic materials.

First, the Belt and Road initiative is presented as a South–South integration project. Special attention is paid to low-carbon development pathways in the BRI countries and the agreements and principles to promote them. Some risks presented at the stage BRI1 are highlighted. The second part, dedicated to African BRI countries, introduces some projects implemented by China, discussing some challenges and opportunities for the Just Transition. Finally, we present the concluding remarks with some recommendations.